May 12th
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14 NIV
This passage shows a tremendous prayer that Paul repeatedly prayed for the Colossian Christians. There were several reasons why Paul prayed for them, specifically that they would:
- Live in a way that honored God
- Please the Lord in every way
- Bear fruit in every good work
- Grow in their knowledge of God
- Be strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might
- Have great endurance and patience
- Joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has qualified them to share in the inheritance of the kingdom of light
We can use this prayer as an invitation for God to do the same in our lives and those we know. In our own human strength, we are not strong enough to live worthy of the Lord and please him in everything to do. When we invite him to fill us with spiritual wisdom and understanding, he will open our spiritual eyes and ears to the truth.
The truth sets us free from captivity because it destroys the power of the lies that have held us. It confirms our identity as God’s children in Christ, heirs to all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). Those promises enable us to partake of the divine nature and to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Questions for further thought:
How does Paul’s prayer for the Colossians reflect on the value of being plugged in to a good church or other group of committed Christians?
What are some of the benefits of praying for one another? (James 5:15-16)
What are some ways you can make giving thanks to God a daily habit?
Prayer:
“Father God, I surrender myself to your will today. I ask forgiveness for any sin I have committed and plead the Blood of Jesus Christ over my sin. Father, I ask that you will fill me with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding today. Please quicken my mind to your Word today as I read it, and reveal the truth that will set me free. I pray that you will empower me to bear fruit in every good work I do, grow in the knowledge of you and be strengthened with all power according to your glorious might. Father, I pray for great endurance and patience in walking with you. I joyfully give thanks to you for qualifying me through Jesus to share in the inheritance of your kingdom. I could never have earned it, and you gave it to me as a gift through Jesus. Thank you so very much! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”